A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife and two children.

When Christ gave the bread, he did not say, "This is the symbol of my body," but, "This is my body." In the same way, when he gave the cup of his blood he did not say, "This is the symbol of my blood," but, "This is my blood."
— Theodore, Bishop of Mopsuestia, writing in the 5th Century

ALKINGINTOTHE RESTROOM while visiting Disneyland with my family, I observed a mentally challenged man being verbally abused while struggling to use the bathroom. An older gentleman I perceived to be his father was there to help his son. The coward who was verbally abusing this poor soul made his exit as I was entering. I’m not sure what I would have done if he hadn’t left immediately. And don’t even ask me what I was tempted to do to the coward . . .

Why do I relate the details of this story? I will explain in a minute.

Since 2007, Corpus Christi Watershed has received thousands of E-mails and letters expressing gratitude for the ministry we provide. Out of every hundred letters, perhaps one is negative. All the rest are positive. Sadly, instead of staying focused on the positive letters (99%), I’m the type of person who dwells on the negative comments (1%). I have no idea why. I have a feeling that many of the musicians reading this article might suffer from the same defect when it comes to parishioners who critique their work.

Furthermore, from time to time, Watershed is the object of slander. A few weeks ago, a false and libelous article was published by an organization which is opposed to our work for ideological reasons. The article contained just enough “nuggets” of truth to make it believable to anyone who has not carefully examined the facts. I believe this scurrilous rubbish will mislead people, but as everyone knows, when it comes to internet publications, almost nothing can be done to prevent the spread of defamatory statements, no matter how demonstrably false they are. These are incidents I ought to ignore, but (as I’ve already mentioned) I find myself inclined to dwell on them.

Had I been delayed before walking into that restroom, I wouldn’t have witnessed the shameful treatment of the mentally handicapped man by the coward. I didn’t enjoy being present for such cruelty, and, to speak truth, was absolutely horrified that a human being could show such viciousness to a defenseless, innocent, struggling soul.

Yet, I thank God for reminding me that many people carry heavier crosses than I can imagine. It was an opportunity to count my blessings. Furthermore, something became patently clear to me: people can be real jerks.

Furthermore, I thank God for allowing me to witness the amazing love the elderly father had for his mentally handicapped child. I remember quite clearly the answer Fr. Peter Gee gave to our high school religion class, when one of my classmates (as usual trying to irritate the teacher) asked if severely mentally handicapped people ought to be murdered so they can go straight to heaven. Fr. Gee spoke of one of his relatives, saying, “This tender soul has elicited such love from each member of our family and brought us together in unbelievable ways. Perhaps this is why God allowed him to be mentally handicapped.” Since 1973, more than 56 million innocent children have been murdered and millions more have been killed in secret (i.e. not recorded). Many were killed because they were handicapped in some way. I wish the ones who made the decision to murder could have heard and considered Fr. Gee’s anecdote. If Fr. Gee’s conjecture is true, God must value charity (i.e. love) very highly.

To make a long story short, I believe these two revelations will help me finally learn to stop dwelling on the negative: (a) being inspired by the love shown by the father for his son; (b) realizing that some people in this world are jerks and derive pleasure only from wickedness and hatred.

P.S.

Very soon (possibly within the next two weeks) our Blog will begin to accept comments. At that time, I will create a page where people can post their positive comments about our ministry. Then, if those of us who contribute to CCW projects happen to feel depressed, we can visit that page to remind ourselves that the work of CCW is important and helps many good people. Furthermore, perhaps these comments will help “defend” CCW against libelous online articles like the one mentioned above.

Opinions expressed by blog contributors do not necessarily represent those of Corpus Christi Watershed.|If you appreciate this blog, please consider donating $5.00 per month. We have no major donors, no salaried employees, and no endowment.

Priests have expressed concern about throwing the Word of God into the garbage every few months. The Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal contains the complete Sunday readings for Years ABC, complete Gradual texts, and magnificent page layouts.

Watershed assisted the Birmingham Oratory with media work leading up to the Papal visit and Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman. Our documentary shorts provide online tours of the Oratory, including the Cardinal’s Room and Library as well as the parish church and its chapels.

St. Jennings was executed for being a Catholic priest. Seized whilst in the act of saying Mass in the house of St. Swithun Wells, he was hanged, drawn and quartered outside the same house. His execution was particularly bloody. St. Swithun Wells was hanged immediately afterwards.

This new Gregorian Chant Mass (with optional organ accompaniment) uses the new ICEL translation of the Roman Missal. We provide free practice videos, vocalist scores in modern and Gregorian notation, congregational booklets, and much more!

Kevin Allen's brilliant new SATB collection of twelve (12) Sacred Motets that can be used all throughout the Liturgical year. 144 Practice videos by Matthew J. Curtis. Optional Psalm tones written out for each piece, in Latin & English.

Here is a newly-composed Gregorian Chant GLORIA in honor of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith (†1628). Please feel free to download the PDF organist scores, PDF vocalist scores (in both Modern and Gregorian notation). This setting uses the new ICEL translation of the Roman Missal.

A 70-page collection of polyphonic Motets that can be sung by the average parish choir! Although the pieces were designed for SSA or TTB choirs, they also work well for mixed choirs. Matthew has also recorded 56 free practice videos to help your choir members learn these beautiful pieces.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father . . .

If you have an SATB choir that would love a brand new collection of dignified, beautiful, not-too-difficult motets, you need to check out Kevin Allen's "Cantiones Sacrae Simplices." Vocal phenomenon Matthew J. Curtis has also recorded more than 144 practice videos which carefully instruct singers who do not read music well. All 144 training videos are free!

Watershed assisted the Birmingham Oratory with media work leading up to the Papal visit and Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman. Our documentary shorts provide online tours of the Oratory, including the Cardinal’s Room and Library as well as the parish church and its chapels.

Distinguished composer Kevin Allen has set twelve Eucharistic Motets for three voices. Although the pieces were designed for SSA or TTB choirs, they also work well for mixed choirs, and a special transposition table has been included for the ease of the choirmaster. Choirmasters and singers will appreciate the fact that these pieces are not difficult to sing.

An hour-long documentary on Sacred Music. Watershed's cameras take you inside the 19th annual Sacred Music Colloquium, sponsored by the Church Music Association of America. The DVD includes a 45-minute, never-before-seen interview with Dr. William Mahrt, CMAA President & Stanford Professor.

The Rt. Rev'd Dom Hervé Courau, Abbat of Notre Dame de Triors, has authorised Watershed to post the Community's Gregorian chant recordings on our sites. For this gracious permission, sincere thanks to Father Abbat, also in the name of all those chanters who will profit from studying these beautiful sung prayers of the Church.

John Henry Newman was born in London (2/21/1801) and died in Birmingham (8/11/1890). As Vicar of St Mary’s Oxford he exerted a profound spiritual influence on the Church of England. Through his extensive published writings and private correspondence he created a greater understanding of the Catholic Church.

This is part of our ongoing Liturgical work, and we are grateful to the many guest composers who generously donate their scores. In addition, we offer free resources for all the other parts of the Mass, and currently provide more than 6,000 free Liturgical scores.

Kevin Allen's world-famous SATB "Tantum Ergo" is now in print. This piece has been enjoyed by many thousands of people, and is featured as the opening piece on "Sacred, Beautiful, & Universal: Colloquium XIX." Corpus Christi Watershed is proud to offer this Motet, along with fourteen other beautiful Motets, in "Cantiones Sacrae II."

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling
the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative
media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.